Alfred Battle (1858-1935) was born in McLennan county, Texas, and attended Waco University, now Baylor University, from which he graduated in 1878. He attended law school at Vanderbilt University, and began his legal career in Waco as an associate in his father's law firm. In 1888, he moved to Seattle. In Seattle he practiced law with the firm Ballinger, Ronald & Battle, which later became Ballinger, Battle, Hulbert & Shorts. His firm had their offices in the Alaska building in Pioneer Square. In 1900 he married Miss Madge Fowler.